Just as people in Jesus’ time showed reverence for him with palms as he entered Jerusalem, the place of hs judgment, so also we will bless and bear palms for migrants as they enter the courthouse, the place of their judgment. —From Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope (FAITH) Yesterday morning, I chose to join a prayer service outside the Edward Schwartz Federal Courthouse. The purpose was purely pastoral—not political or disruptive or an attempt to change the judgments made that day. Led...

This past Sunday, Father Isaiah brought the Jol Wo Lieec gathering to St. Bart’s for a joyful dance in the sanctuary. You may know by now that this is a fellowship of South Sudanese young adults in the United States. The group itself is global, but they gathered for the first time in the US at St. Luke’s last weekend! After the dance, an usher turned to me and said, “It’s alive!” I was later able to confirm with him that he was referring to the sanctuary, the service, the congregation, our...

In Dinka, “God Look Back at Us” is “Jol Wo Lieec.” It is the name of a young adult ministry founded over 30 years ago by Bishop Nathaniel Garang Anyieth of South Sudan. The goal is to strengthen young adults in discipleship and fellowship as they face the challenges of life. The Jol Wo Lieec ministry has expanded around the world as the South Sudanese diaspora has spread globally. Bishop Nathaniel died last month at the age of 85. But on the eve of his death, he received the message that Jol...